:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69004958/usa_today_15762178.0.jpg)
Here’s to more good than bad this week!
Cleveland Baseball Team News
Stephan wins job; Naylor slowed | indians.com
From Mandy Bell:
The Indians selected Stephan in the Rule 5 Draft this winter. Stephan said that he knew there was a chance he’d be taken in the Draft since the Yankees left him unprotected, and he was excited to hear that Cleveland gave him an opportunity to make it to the big leagues.
Between Class A Advanced and Double-A in New York’s organization in 2019, Stephan pitched to a 4.73 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) with 91 strikeouts and 29 walks in 80 innings. But when he came to camp with the Indians this spring, he was put in the bullpen and has a 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts and two walks in his first 7 1/3 frames.
“This kid came in and we told him, we said, ‘We Rule 5’d you because we like your arm,’” Francona said. “We kept him on our ballclub because we think he has poise. … There’s a lot to like about this kid. He was good. He goes, ‘I know this is just the beginning, I know I have a lot to prove.’ It was just a fun message.”
Mercado will not make Cleveland’s Opening Day roster | LGT
Oscar Mercado will head to the club’s depth camp. It is the final option year for the CF.
Bieber blanks Texas across four innings in Cleveland’s spring training win | cleveland.com
Our ace allowed two hits and struck out six.
#Indians RHP James Karinchak might put some grey hairs on your head but boy is he fun when he's on. Karinchak now has 16 strikeouts over his 7.1 innings.
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) March 21, 2021
Over his last 3 spring outings:
- 3.0(IP) 0H 1R 0ER 1BB 8SO 0.00 ERA
Around the League
- Royals, and could’ve-been Cleveland owner John Sherman, sign Salvador Perez to franchise-record extension
- Cubs minor leaguer charged with possession of 21 pounds of methamphetamine
- FanGraph notes on fastballs, Petco Park, and Alex Cora’s run-in with Cleveland manager Eric Wedge